A student entrepreneur incubated under the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Thembelihle Mathaba, and founder of Thothelihle Bee Farming, is dedicated to becoming a successful business woman. Her business aims not only to generate revenue but to also promote sustainable practices in agriculture.
Mathaba from Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal rejoices as she will be graduating for her Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 at Indumiso Campus, Pietermaritzburg.
“I am the founder and CEO of Thothelihle Bee Farming, a business focused on beekeeping and located in Empangeni, KwesakwaMthethwa. We build structures conducive to beekeeping and harnessing the nature resources to produce high-quality honey (raw honey with no ingredients added) and distribute the honey to small businesses farmers for reselling. We also supply individuals, particularly those living with diabetes, who utilise honey as a natural sweetener,” said Mathaba.
Her journey at DUT has been amazing, she had the opportunity to participate in an international student exchange programme in Germany, supported by a scholarship and DUT.
There were some obstacles that came her way and the possibility of deregistering loomed over but through perseverance she conquered them.
“As a student, I faced a multitude of challenges during my 2023 academic journey, primarily revolving around severe financial difficulties. The absence of funding and a lack of a solid financial support background compounded my struggles, putting immense pressure on my ability to sustain myself throughout my studies.The absence of support from parents, who rely on a pension grant themselves, I was left to navigate these difficulties largely alone. I had to resort to doing house cleaning and laundry for people around Pietermaritzburg just to survive,” she said.
Her background motivated her to perform well on her studies. She expressed her excitement when she realised that she had completed her qualification and is looking forward to continuing her academic journey next year.
“My aim is to find a mentor or advisor who can provide guidance as I choose the topic for my Master’s research. Additionally, I am committed to achieving excellent results in my Master’s degree and completing it on time. Following that, I plan to pursue a Doctorate. Ultimately, I envision myself also becoming a professor. This aspiration holds special significance to me as I would be the first person in my family to reach the professorial stage. It serves as proof that coming from a disadvantaged background does not prevent one from achieving their goals,” she added.
Her advice to students who plan to follow in the same journey is to stay focused on one’s studies and one’s career goals.
“Keep abreast of innovative trends and opportunities within the HR field. Look for ways to apply your knowledge to real-world business scenarios and stay patient as you progress along your journey,” she advised.
Pictured:Thembelihle Mathaba
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese
Patience Makhaye
